the big cliff still lies in front of us. >> reporter: president obama had scolded congress for waiting so long. >> one thing we can count on with respect to this congress is that if there's even one second left before you have to do what you're supposed to do, they will use that last second. >> reporter: the bush-era tax cuts remain in place for individuals earning as much as $400,000 a year, far above the 250,000 level on which president obama campaigned. but those making more will see higher income taxes, capital gains, plus a new health care reform surtax. rob wood says you'll notice in your paycheck one popular tax cut will be history. >> the average person, say, earning $50,000 a year is going to pay about $1,000 more in payroll taxes in 2013. >> reporter: the fiscal cliff agreement also increases taxes on estates worth more than $5 million and extends unemployment benefits for one year and keeps the child tax credit for workers who don't earn enough to pay income taxes. the alternative minimum tax got a pat for inin addition. that shields 33 million taxpayers. even with the budge